: News Article

Local laws effective

30/04/2004

Outdoorsy types are encouraged to watch their behaviour on local waterways this Labour Day weekend.

NQ Water says it will enforce permit conditions on the use of areas falling under its control including Black Weir and the popular Lake Paluma camping ground.

Environment Manager Rob Hunt said the first fines had been issued.

“The vast majority of visitors to Lake Paluma and skiers on Black Weir are responsible,” Mr Hunt said. “Many are families and we are concentrating on their comfort, enjoyment and safety.”

“Others, who treat the facilities as their own and feel they have no responsibility to others or the environment, will be very disappointed .”

One man was fined in March and again in April for breaching water skiing conditions on Black Weir.

He’s required to pay $375 for waterskiing without a permit and $300 for skiing without an observer in the separate incident.

A group of campers was also asked to leave the Lake Paluma grounds at Easter after unruly behaviour.

Lake Paluma has been the focus of more than $550,000 in capital works in recent years to improve camping facilities and environmental controls.

Mr Hunt said that there were often no vacancies at Lake Paluma on good weather weekends and he urged campers to book on the NQ Water website.

He also urged caution on the unsealed road to Lake Paluma after recent rain.

Contact: Rob Hunt on 4726 0000 and Media Liaison Robert Dark 0417 623 156.

© 2004 NQ Water